Hearst Greek Theatre

The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, known locally as simply the Greek Theatre, is an 8,500-seat amphitheater owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California, USA.

See also: Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)
Hearst Greek Theatre
Address2001 Gayley Rd
LocationBerkeley, California
OwnerUniversity of California, Berkeley
Operatorconcerts promoted by Another Planet Entertainment
Typeamphitheater
Capacity8,500
Opened1903
Website
http://calperformances.org/visit/venues/greek-theatre.php
Hearst Greek Theatre
Berkeley Landmark No. 153
Coordinates37°52′25.3″N 122°15′15.1″W
ArchitectJohn Galen Howard
Architectural styleGreek Revival
MPSBerkeley, University of California MRA
NRHP reference No.82004644[1]
BERKL No.153
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMarch 25, 1982
Designated BERKLFebruary 25, 1991[2]

The Greek Theatre hosts The Berkeley Jazz Festival, pop, rock, and world music concerts, UC Berkeley graduation ceremonies, occasional addresses by noted speakers, and other events. Past speakers include President Theodore Roosevelt, William Randolph Hearst, and the Dalai Lama.

History

The Hearst Greek Theater was built in 1903 on the site of a rough outdoor bowl already in use as an amphitheater since 1894 known as "Ben Weed's Amphitheater". The project was championed by University of California president Benjamin Ide Wheeler and was the first University building designed by John Galen Howard.[3] Its construction was financed by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, after whom it was named. The design of the theater is based directly on the ancient Greek theater of Epidaurus.

It officially opened on September 24, 1903 with a student production of The Birds by Aristophanes. However, while still under construction in May 1903, the theatre hosted a graduation ceremony with an address by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a friend of Wheeler's from New York.

In 1957, a basement backstage area was added, which was designed by Ernest Born. It includes a large plaza flanked by two stage-level constructions.[4]

In 1967 The Grateful Dead played the Greek for the first time, and went on to play 29 total concerts here by 1989. [5]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[1]

Over the years, the Greek Theatre has seen performances from hundreds of musical and theatrical artists.[6] The Greek has also long been the venue for a number of annual UC Berkeley events including departmental graduation ceremonies, the Commencement Convocation for graduating seniors, and the Big Game Bonfire Rally before the Big Game each year with Stanford. Charter Day ceremonies and inaugurations of University of California presidents and Berkeley chancellors have been held in the Greek Theatre. Berkeley High School also uses the Greek Theatre for its graduation ceremonies.

Another Planet Entertainment became the exclusive concert promoter at the Greek in 2004.[7]

In May 2012, a seismic retrofit and expansion was designed by Palo Alto architecture firm, CAW Architects and constructed by Overaa Construction. Four new reinforced concrete columns were added and concealed in the original structure.[4][8]

  • The Hearst Greek Theatre
  • During graduation in 2002
  • Michael Moore giving a public speech here in October 2003.
  • Cal Bonfire on December 1, 2006

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Berkeley Landmarks". Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  3. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/uchistory/archives_exhibits/online_exhibits/romapacifica/partv_jgeda293.html
  4. "Award of Merit, Renovation/Restoration: UC Berkeley's Hearst Greek Theatre". ENR California. McGraw-Hill Construction. November 27, 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  5. https://www.setlists.net/?search=true&venue=Greek+Theater&city=&state=&month=&day=&year=&songs=&submit=Search
  6. Title: Sarah Bernhardt as Phaedre in the Greek Theatre of Berkeley Creator(s): Genthe, Arnold, 1869-1942, photographer Date Created/Published: between 1906 and 1942; from a negative taken in 1906. Medium: 1 slide : lantern ; 4 x 5 in. or smaller. Call Number: LC-G4085- 0035 Repository: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
  7. California, Berkeley Daily Planet, Berkeley. "Clear Channel Loses Greek Theater Concerts". berkeleydailyplanet.com. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  8. "Historic Greek Theatre safe, sound and superb after upgrades". News Center. UC Berkeley. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
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